Detailed description of River Vale Country Club
River Vale Country Club, is a Semi-Private, 18 hole golf course located in River Vale, New Jersey.
The River Vale Country Club, formerly named Bergen Hills Country Club, has been a local landmark for more than 75 years. The facility opened in 1931 and enjoyed many years of popularity among the biggest names in golf and entertainment. Today, the public facility enjoys a more down-to-earth atmosphere, where locals can practice their skill on a classically designed Donald Ross course. Hal Purdy redesigned the course in 1968.
This very hilly, tree lined course has many creeks and ponds coming into play on a number of holes. The scenery is beautiful on this course. The fairways dip and swirl where there is hardly a level lie to be found.
What makes this golf course unique is that every hole is different from the next with characteristics reminiscent of golf’s golden era. The 15th hole, a 475-yard par-4 is one of their most challenging holes. It was recently described by New Jersey Golf Magazine as “one of the toughest holes in the state. In addition, the 14th hole is a 233-yard par-3 where no one takes enough club because it plays further than it looks. Finally, the highlight of the front nine is the 5th and 6th holes, consecutive par-5s that offer textbook examples of risk/reward options.
$51 (cart included), played on Friday, September 2010 at 6am
Played it several times this year. Early-bird price is very good. Course is generally in country club condition. Staff is very professional. Pace of play can be slow at times. Town has now purchased the course. Would play here more often, but Friday-Sat-Sun cancellation policy is 48 hours--and they will charge your credit card unless they close the course (which doesn't happen).
Do Not Recall (cart included), played on Tuesday, March 2008 at 2pm
Don-t get me wrong, River Vale is a nice course. They recently switched 9s and the pace of play is a now better. They are in the process of doing work in the clubhouse and adding a bar so it should look nice.
The course has added some length this year (2008) extending tee boxes on #2, #5 (I forget which others) A Donald Ross design that has been refurbished a few years back. The course has a good mix of some tough holes and some good scoring holes. The front nine has two relatively easy par 5-s that are back to back and are preceded by a par 3. This stretch of holes is a good time to score well. #9 is a par 4 with a tough uphill approach over a pond to a green that slopes hard back to front, a tough green to hold.
On the back nine, hole #10 (the old 1st hole) used to be the hardest opening hole in the area (IMHO) but now is a good hole where par is a great score. #14 is a long (235yd. blue tees) to a big green but the hole always gives me a problem. #15 is a real tough par 4 and is the hardest hole on the course, a blind tee shot w/ the approach to an elevated green. #18 is a 3 shot par 5, nothing special here but the green is a bit difficult.
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$51 (cart included), played on Monday, April 2013 at 8am
Best semi private course in the area. Town owned and renovating the clubhouse entrance. New head pro.